Tag reenforcement and seal



May 18, 1937. WHEELER 2,080,754

TAG REENFORCEMENT AN D SEAL Filed Sept. 29, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 May 18, 1937, I L. B. WHEELER TAG REENFORCEMENT AND SEAL Filed Sept. 29, 4936 2 sheets-sheet 2 Juan/QB wee/ @QNLM v Patented May 18, 1937 UNITED STA 16 Claims.

This invention relates to tags and attaching members therefor by means of which a tag may be secured to shipments of raw materials or finished products, packages, bags, or other objects.

A feature of the invention is directed to a reenforcement for a tag at the point where the attaching member is fastened to the tag, which reenforcement may serve in part as a means for securing the free end of the attaching member after it has been passed about or attached to the article which is to be tagged.

Among the objects of the invention is the provision of an attaching member for tags which in addition to being securely fastened to the tag is so designed that it may be locked or sealed about an object, and to the reenforced portion of the tag, such that it cannot be removed without breaking, or visible evidence of tampering. The use of a self-locking seal, preferably comprising a flat'strip of metal, for attaching the tag to the object is contemplated.

Tag reenforcements now generally used are in the nature of paper patches, with or without the additional reenforcement of a metal eyelet; some tags, especially those used for tagging bales of cotton are equipped with long bar shaped patches, and with a plurality of metal eyelets. The types of attaching means now in general use are confined to strings, wires, wire deadlocks and parcel hooks.

However, these reenforcements and attachments are open to various objections, such as lack of strength, and the impossibility of permanently sealing the device to the object to which it is attached.

Accordingly, it is another object of the present invention to provide a structure which is extreme- 1y simple in operation, and which may be sealed with conventional tools such as a pair of pliers.

It is a further object to utilize the reenforcement for the tag as part of the securing or sealing means, thus avoiding the use of wires and strings, and eliminating the need for auxiliary sealing means.

To the attainment of the foregoing and other objects which will appear as the description proceeds, reference may be made to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Figure l is a perspective View of a tag with reenforcement and attaching means secured thereto;

Figure 2 is a section through the tag showing a mode of securing and sealing the attaching means;

Figure 3 is an elevation showing the tag attached to the mouth of a bag in such a manner as to form a closure therefor;

Figure 4 is a top plan, partly in section of a closed bag, showing the mode of securing the mouth of the bag;

Figure 5 is a detail in section of the reenforcement and attaching means shown in Fig. 1;

Figure 6 is a perspective View of a tag with a modified reenforcement and attaching means partially applied;

Figure 7 is a section through the tag, showing the reenforcement and attaching means of Fig. 6 in position for use;

Figure 8 is a section similar to Fig. 7 illustrating the mode of sealing and securing the attaching means;

Figure 9 is a perspective view illustrating a modified mode of sealing;

Figure 10 is a sectional view showing still another modification in the mode of sealing;

Fig. 11 is a section illustrating a modification in the mode of sealing the attaching means about a bag mouth; and

Fig. 12 is a detail in plan of the seal used in Fig. 11.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, in whichlike reference numerals designate like parts, l0 represents a tag which is constructed of cardboard or other conventional material used for these purposes, ll designates the reenforcement for the tag and attaching means, and I2 indicates the attaching means which is illustrated in the form of a metal strap adapted to go about some portion of the object to be tagged.

The reenforcement ll consists of a piece of tough material, preferably metal, which is folded over the end of the tag and pressed flat on both sides of the tag material to which it is to be secured. On one side of the tag the metal may be bent in at the corners i3 in such a way as to pierce and clinch the reenforcement to the material of the tag (see Figs. 1 and 4).

Two slots M and i5, one above the other and parallel to the end of the tag, pass through both sides of the reenforcement I I and thematerial of the tag H! which is enclosed by the reenforcement. These slots form a means of securing the flat metal band or strap l2, which is used instead of wire or string as a tag attaching member.

The strap [2 (to be used in various lengths and in various widths) is attached to the tag Ill and reenforcement H in the following manner: One end [6 of the strap 12 is passed through the slot I4, and bent over the face of the reenforcement H, extending to a point adjacent the slot 55. The strap is then bent inwardly, the other end H is passed through the slot 15 and pulled outwardly to a position passing over the first end I6, and the tag is then ready for use.

When used the free or extending portion of strap l2 may be passed around the article to which the tag is to be attached and back to the clot it. To fasten this attaching member it is only necessary to extend the free end [7 through the slot 95 and bend it inward on the other side of the tag, and this bending, together with the normal strain imposed on the strap by its attschment to some object will provide enough tension to prevent the end i? strap from pulling out under normal usage.

The sealing of the free end I? of the strap may conveniently be accomplished by raising an obstruction, integrally or separately applied by the of a pair of pliers or other suitable tool, in such manner as to prevent the strap being withdrawn through the slot i and. which obstruction cannot be removed without mutilation or fracture.

As a convenient mode of forming this enlargement the end ll may be longitudinally grooved or creased a short distance, adjacent the end whereupon the strap may be readily crimped and twisted along this crease. Similar results may obtained even if no groove is pre-formed in the metal.

As illustrated, an enlargement I8 has been formed by crimping the two sides of the strap between the jaws of a pair of pliers to bend the strap in the middle, along the crease stamped in the metal, so that the sides meet. The end will then be turned over to avoid rough corners.

In Figures 3 and 4, the device is illustrated as secured to a coin bag H3 in such a manner as to close and seal the mouth of the bag.

It will be obvious that various materials other than metal may be used in the formation of the reenforcement, paper, fiber, cloth, fabricoid and the like, applied either as a separate piece attached to the opposite sides of the tag by means of adhesive or staples, or as one piece folded over and clinched by means of prongs or points as indicated at the corners I3.

The essential feature is the form of the reenforcement and the adaptability thereof to the use of metal, and the sealing feature which provides that the attaching member cannot be unfastened or removed without mutilation or destruction of component parts.

Such a device offers material advantages over seals now generally in use, such as simplicity, economy in manufacture and assembling, and security due to the use of a metal band instead of cord, there being no stretch to the metal, and yet ihe metal may be cut with shears just as easily as cord.

Greater resistance to pulling away of the tags f om its attaching member is provided; the device is more readily attached to objects, especially to baggage and articles that are to be checked; the sealing feature, while extremely simple, offers real protection when applied to heavy and valuable shipments such as bales of cotton, shipments of raw silks, furs, certified potatoes, etc. The device is modern in appearance and the use of the metal strap 52 makes it possible to stamp identification data thereon, in fact the type of reenforcement used also offers this advantage.

it is to be understood that the herein described embodiment is intended as illustrative and not limiting, as the device is susceptible to modification within the scope of the invention.

For example, in Figs. 6, 7 and 8, a unitary reenforcement and attaching member is provided in which a substantially fiat reenforcement 20 is used, this element 23 being slotted at 2! and 22. The end of the tag is provided with but a single slot 23 which may be surrounded by paper reenforcement 23 or not, as desired.

In the use of this form, the end I6 is secured to the reenforcement member 2% per se, in the same manner as described in connection with Figs. 1 to 5, with the strap 52 passing through the slots 2! and 22 instead of through the tag. The rec end I! is then passed through the slot in the tag in such a manner as to bring the folded part of the end l6 against the face of the tag, and pulled through the tag to draw the reenforcement flush with that part of the tag adjacent to the slot 23. The free end H may then be looped around the article to which the tag is to be attached and passed back through the slots 22 and 23. This brings the end I? of the strap out on the opposite side of the tag from the reenforcement, where it can be tightened and bent down to secure the tag to the article. The free and i! can then be looked through the tag and to the inner end of the reenforcement 26 by punching a hole 28 completely through, which pushes the metal of the strap through the reenforcement where it may be set by bending over the projecting metal, as indicated at 29.

Other methods of forming the enlargement on the end it of the strap might readily appear. For example, a name or number might be embossed or stamped in such a manner as to leave raised figures 2%, as illustrated in Fig. 9, which stamping, in addition to furnishing indicia for identifying the shipment or other purposes, would function to form a sealing abutment rendering it impossible to remove the strap I 2 without leaving evidence of tampering. Again the end I! might be perforated and a small lead mushroom 25 inserted (Fig. 10), which mushroom can be flattened after the shank thereof is passed through the strap.

In Figs. 11 and 12 is illustrated still another mode of locking the end ii, and in this form the strap is provided with a series of small lips 26 and 2i or teeth arranged in such manner as to engage each other when the free end ii is passed the second time through the slot id or 22 as the case may be.

t will be seen that each of the forms suggested is in the nature of an enlargement or abutment forming the equivalent of the crimped portion I8.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. The combination with a tag of attaching means therefor and reenforcement means efiective to secure said attaching means against removal from the tag, said reenforcement means comprising relatively stiff sheet material on at least one side of the tag, said tag and reenforcement means each having a slot to receive and secure one end of said attaching means, and means to seal the other end of said attaching means against removal from the tag.

2. The combination with a tag of attaching means therefor and reenforccment means effective to secure said attaching means against removal from the tag, said reenforcement means comprising relatively stiff sheet material on at least one side of the tag, said tag and reenforcement means each having a slot to receive and secure one end of said attaching means, said attaching means extending over one face of the reenforcing means, through the tag and across a portion of the opposite side of the tag, and means to seal the other end of said attaching means against removal from the tag.

3. The combination with a tag of attaching means therefor and reenforcement means effective to secure said attaching means to the tag, said reenforcement means comprising relatively stiff sheet material on at least one side of the tag,

said tag and reenforcement means being provided with a plurality of slots to receive and secure one end of said attaching means, said attaching means extending from its end, over a face of the reenforcing means, through one of said slots, thence back through another slot and over the outer surface of the said end of the attaching means, and means to seal the other end of said attaching means to the tag.

4. The combination with a tag of an attaching means therefor comprising a pliant strap having one end secured to the tag, reenforcing means at the point where the said end is secured, comprising a relatively stiff member bent over the end of the tag and having its ends extending along opposite faces of the tag, and means to seal the other end of said attaching means against removal from the reenforcing means after it has passed about an object.

5. A tag comprising a body portion, a reenforcement portion adjacent one end thereof having a pair of slots extending through the tag and reenforcing portion, and a pliant strap secured at one end to the tag through said slots, and means effective to secure the other end of the strap through one of said slots, and to seal same in position.

6. The combination with a tag of reenforcing means comprising a relatively stiff member formed with a pair of slots therethrough, attaching means for the tag secured at one end through said slots to the reenforcing means, means for securing said reenforcing means and attaching means to the tag, and means for securing the other end of said attaching means against removal from the tag.

'7. The combination with a tag of reenforcing means comprising a relatively stifi member formed with a pair of slots therethrough, attaching means for the tag having one end secured through said slots to the reenforcing means, said tag having a slot therethrough coincident with one of the slots of the reenforcement, and means for sealing the other end of said attaching means through said coincident slots against removal from the tag and reenforcement.

8. The combination with a tag of attaching means and reenforcement means effective to secure an end of said attaching means against removal from the tag, means to secure said reenforcement means to the tag, said tag and reenforcement means being provided with coincident slots whereby the free end of said attaching means may be passed completely through the tag and reenforcement means, and means to seal the free end of the attaching means in position.

9. A tag comprising a body portion, a reenforcement of stiffer material than said body portion adjacent one end thereof, said reenforcement and body portion having a plurality of sets of coincident slots extending completely through the tag, and attaching means for said tag' comprising a pliant strap extending through one of said sets of slots and back through another of said sets, the latter of said sets being of a size to receive the free end of said attaching means, andsaid free end being constructed and arranged to provide an enlargement effective to seal the strap against removal after the free end has been passed through said second set.

'10. A tag comprising a non-metallic body portion having a metallic reenforcement at one end, attaching means for the tag comprising a pliant metal strap extending through the reenforcement and secured thereto, said strap extending through said body portion and having a free end and said tag having a slot extending completely through the body portion and reenforcement, whereby said free end may be passed through the tag and secured at the opposite side thereof against withdrawal through the slot.

11. A tag comprising a non-metallic body portion and a metallic reenforcement at one end, attaching means for the tag comprising a pliant metal strap extending through the reenforcement and secured thereto, said strap extending through said body portion and having a free end and said tag having a slot extending completely through the body portion and reenforcement, whereby said free end may be passed throughthe tag and secured at the opposite side thereof, and means to seal said free end after it has been positioned through the tag.

12. A tag comprising a non-metallic body portion and a metallic reenforcement at one end, attaching means for the tag comprising a pliant metal strap extending through the reenforcement and secured thereto, said strap extending through said body portion and having a free end and said tag having a slot extending completely through the body portion and reenforcement, whereby said free end may be passed through the tag and secured at the opposite side thereof, and means providing a sealing obstruction adjacent the free end of said attaching means.

13. A tag comprising a non-metallic body portion and a metallic reenforcement on opposite faces of the tag at one end, attaching means for the tag comprising a pliant metal strap extending through the reenforcement and secured thereto, said strap extending through said body portion and having a free end and said tag having a slot extending completely through the body portion and reenforcement, whereby said free end may be passed through the tag and secured at the opposite side thereof, said free end being constructed and arranged for ready distortion to provide a sealing obstruction therein, and means to seal said free end after it has been positioned through the tag.

14. A tag comprising a non-metallic body portion and a metallic reenforcement at one end, attaching means for the tag comprising a pliant metal strap extending through the reenforcement and secured thereto, said strap extending through said body portion and having a free end and said tag having a slot extending completely through the body portion and reenforcement, whereby said free end may be passed through the tag and secured at the opposite side thereof, said free end having means for locking the strap in position after it has passed through the tag.

15. The combination with a tag of attaching means therefor and reenforcement means effective to secure said attaching means against removal from the tag, said reenforcement means being shaped, constructed and arranged to form an anchor contacting at least one face of the tag, said tag and reenforcement means each having a slot to receive and secure one end of said attaching means, and means to seal the other end of said attaching means against removal from the tag.

16. A tag comprising a non-metallic body portion having a metallic reenforcement at one end shaped, constructed and arranged to form an anchor contacting at least one face of the tag,

attaching means for the tag comprising a pliant metal strap secured to the reenforcement and having a free end, said tag having a slot through which said free end is passed, whereby said metallic reenforcement and attaching means are mounted on the tag, and means to secure the free end of the tag against withdrawal through the slot of the tag.

LUCIUS B. WHEELER. 

